Highly-rated Stoke City defenders signs on loan

Highly-rated Stoke City defender Ryan Sweeney has today signed for the Stags on a season-long loan deal, the club are delighted to announce.

The 21-year-old signed for the Potters from AFC Wimbledon in 2016, and has since had two loan spells at League One side Bristol Rovers, during which he made 39 league appearances for the Pirates, scoring on four occasions.

Sweeney made his professional debut for the Dons in April 2015, coming on as an 80th minute substitute in an away match at Dagenham and Redbridge.

The left centre-half earned a place in the starting 11 in Wimbledon’s next fixture, a 0-0 away draw with Oxford United, in which Sweeney was named man of the match.

The 6ft 3in defender soon started to catch the eye of Premier League clubs, signing for then-top flight side Stoke in August 2016.

Sweeney featured heavily in Bristol Rovers’ campaign last season after joining on loan, and helped the Gas to a respectable 13th-place finish in League One.

He has also represented Ireland at under-19 (five appearances) and under-21 level (six appearances).

“I’m delighted to be joining an ambitious club,” Sweeney told www.mansfieldtown.net after signing.

“The gaffer is trying to get us to play attractive football. He’s made some good signings this summer and they’re looking sharp in training.

“I’m just hoping that whenever the gaffer gives me the opportunity to put on the shirt, I can add to what is being built here.”